Medical management of significant coronary angiographic stenoses: Outcome of 60 patients observed for 433 patient years

Background : Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has become routine in the management of patients with stable angina pectoris and significant coronary stenoses, while medical management of such patients has declined. Hypothesis : The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of 60 patients at the Virginia Heart Institute with stable angina pectoris, observed between 1976 and 1997, who had documented evidence of severe angiographic disease but were elected to be monitored and managed in an outpatient pharmacologic rehabilitation program. Methods : Sixty patients with significant stenoses by coronary angiography (21 with single‐vessel, 26 with double‐vessel, and 13 with triple‐vessel) without impaired ventricular function, exercise‐induced ischemia or hypotension, limited exercise performance, malignant arrhythmias, or drug intolerance were enrolled in a program of pharmacologic rehabilitation and observed for an average of 7.2 years. Results : Among the 60 patients, there were 6 deaths at a mean interval of 8.3 years. Two deaths were in patients ineligible for revascularization. Another patient who died had refused revascularization after new‐onset left ventricular dysfunction, and another died intraoperatively during abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Two patients died while exercising. Thirteen patients underwent follow‐up catheterization for worsening angina; 11 of 13 showed progression, predominantly from new lesions. Four of 11 were referred for revascularization; 7 of 11 continued medical treatment; 49 patients were stable on medical therapy throughout the period of observation. Conclusion : Medical management of selected patients with significant coronary stenoses is safe and effective.